Stereophonic transducer arrangement

ABSTRACT

A stereophonic device that includes headphones for receiving at least four channels of information to provide a full panorama of sound. The speakers in each of the earpieces of the headphone are arranged in side-by-side spaced relation. A jack for connecting multichannel headphones to a suitable source has means permitting capacitive coupling between the channels connecting the source to the speakers.

United States Patent Fixler 1 1 Jan. 28, 1975 [54] STEREOPHONICTRANSDUCER 2,710,632 gamras 179/1 GA 2,846,5 1 9 eidler 179/182 RARRANGEMENT 3,454,964 7/1969 Brinkerhofl' 179/156 R Jon S. Fixler,Philadelphia, Pa.

Industrial Patent Development Corp., Philadelphia, Pa.

Filed: Feb. 28, 1972 Appl. No.: 230,147

Related US. Application Data Continuation of Ser. No. 43,903, June 5,1970, abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 20,680,March 18, 1970, Pat. No. 3,609,240,

Inventor:

[73] ,Assignee:

US. Cl. 179/1 GQ, 179/156 R Int. Cl H04r 5/00 Field of Search. 179/1 G,1 GA, 156 R, 182 R,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1938 Dreisbach 179/1 B PrimaryExaminer-Kathleen H. Claffy Assistant Examiner-Douglas W. Olms Attorney,Agent, or Firm-Maleson, Kimmelman and Ratner [57] ABSTRACT Astereophonic device that includes headphones for receiving at least fourchannels of information to provide a full panorama of sound. Thespeakers in each of the earpieces of the headphone are arranged insideby-side spaced relation. A jack for connecting multichannelheadphones to a suitable source has means permitting capacitive couplingbetween the channels connecting the source to the speakers.

13 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures Pxnimw I 3.863.028

snuznor 3.

FIG.

STEREOPHONIC TRANSDUCER ARRANGEMENT This patent application is astreamlined continuation of now abandoned application Ser. No. 43,903,filed June 5, 1970, which in turn is a continuation-in-part ofco-pending patent application Ser. No. 20,680, filed Mar. 18, 1970, nowUS. Pat. No. 3,609,240, issued Sept. 28, 1971.

This invention relates to stereophonic devices and more particularly toa stereophonic headphone and a multichannel jack permitting capacitivecoupling between the channels.

Stereophonic headphones have been in use for many years. They have beendeveloped to a high degree of sophistication and are capable offaithfully transducing electronic signals into sounds that are virtuallyidentical to those that would be heard if the listener were in thepresence of the sound source itself. However, as more fully explained inthe above-noted patent application, stereophonic headphones suffer fromthe characteristic of causing the listener to perceive the sound asemanating from the center of his head. Thus, while stereophonicheadphones produce differential left-right characteristics, they are notcapable of producing a true panorama of sound. Thus, it is the purposeof the present invention to provide stereophonic headphones which arecapable of producing the effect ofa true panorama of sound as set forthin the above-noted patent application, and at the same time presentingan arrangement of elements which is useful in designing a highlystylized and uniquely appearing device.

Additionally, jacks known heretofore for connecting stereophonicheadphones to an audio signal source have been rather simple, crudedevices. By this it is meant that the jacks comprised a simple means forcompleting a circuit to each of the speakers in the headphone set. Themost familiar type of jack is the plug-in type, wherein an elongatedmember attached to the headphones is inserted into a recess in the audiosignal source to complete a circuit to a particular speaker. When morethan one speaker is utilized a gang of such projecting members andrecesses have been employed.

The prior art type ofjacks have failed to provide an opportunity for alistener to control the separation of signals into the various channels.Such a device would be particularly suitable for stereophonic headphonesof the type utilizing two or more speakers adjacent to each ear of thelistener. The capability of intermingling the sound in adjacent channelsis particularly desirable in order to enhance the stereophoniccharacteristics of the headphones and to more completely realize thedesired panorama of sound.

Generally, the invention relates to stereophonic headphones for afounchannel system, comprising a support, first and second enclosures tobe positioned over the ears of the listener carried by said support,each of said enclosures including an inside wall to lie adjacent an earand an outside wall faced outwardly from said inside wall, said insidewalls having an opening for the emission of sound into the ear of alistener, at least two audio transducers in each of said enclosures fortransducing electronic signals into sound, each of said audiotransducers being supported in said enclosures in spaced relation fromsaid inside wall and in spaced, substantially side-by-side relation toeach other, and baffle means interposed between said audio transducersin each of said enclosures.

Furthermore, the invention also includes, generally, a jack forcompleting at least two circuits between an audio signal source and anaudio signal receiver comprising a housing, first and second adjacent,spaced elements supported by said housing in side-by-side relation, saidfirst and second elements corresponding to said first and secondcircuits and being electrically connected to a signal source, a carrieradapted to be removably connected to said housing, first and secondadjacent spaced members supported by said carrier in side-by-siderelation, said first and second members being aligned with andcontacting said first and second elements respectively when said carrieris connected to said housing to thereby complete said first and secondcircuits between said signal source and said signal re ceiver, anddielectric means supported by said carrier for axial movement into thespace between said first and second adjacent members so that currentvariations in each of said circuits cause corresponding currentvariations in the adjacent circuit.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a newand improved stereophonic headphone.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a new and improvedjack for connecting an audio signal source and an audio signal receiverwherein means are provided for permitting the signals in adjacentchannels to influence each other.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear herein.

For the purposes of illustrating the invention, there are shown in thedrawings forms which are presently preferred; it being understood,however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangementsand instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of headphones constructed in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4a is a perspective view of a jack constructed in accordance withthe present invention mounted in a housing.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4a, showing theplan of a jack constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view taken along line 66 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 88 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 5.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicatelike elements, there is shown in FIG. 1 a pair of stereophonicheadphones designated generally at 1 0.

As shown, the headphones 10 include first and second housing 12 and 14which are pivotally mounted on a support bracket 16. The bracket whichmay be made of any conventional material is preferably provided with aclosed conduit 18 through which suitable interconnection conductorsbetween the headphones can be threaded. Additionally, if desired, theside of the bracket adjacent the head of the wearer may have a layer offoamed plastic 19. The housings l2 and 14 may be connected to thebracket by suitable pins 24 and 26.

The housings l2 and 14 and the bracket 16 are preferably made of thesame material to promote uniformity of design and color. Additionally,to further compliment this uniformity the inwardly facing portions ofthe housings l2 and 14 are made of the same foamed plastic as appears onthe bracket.

The outer portions of the housing are generally elongated hollow membershaving outer walls 23 and inner walls 24 that define an open space 25therebetween. Mounted in space 25 are a pair of audio transducers 26 and28. The transducers are supported on inner wall 24 in spacedlongitudinal relation to each other. Each audio transducer takes theform of a 1-inch or 1 and V2 inch speaker. Such speakers are availableon the market and hence, need not be described in detail. Of course,better quality speakers are preferable in order to obtain a morefaithful audio reproduction of the electronic signal.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, audio transducers 26 and 28 are inside-by-side spaced relation to each other. It is to be noted that forthe purposes of achieving a unique design of the headphones the speakersare placed so that their centers are aligned with bracket 16. Thisarrangement permits the bracket to be worn across the back of the head,rather than over the head.

The aforementioned opening through which sound emenates is defined bylouvers 32 which are centrally positioned in wall 24. The louvers arepreferably disposed horizontally. Additionally, it should be noted thatthe foamed plastic connected to the inside wall 24 completely coversthat wall with the exception of an opening 34 immediately overlying thelouvers 32. The louvers are mounted so that vibration due to resonanceis substantially eliminated. A preferred manner of achieving this is bycoating the louvers with cloth. In this regard it should be noted thatthe perimeter defined by opening 34 is sufficiently large so that theear of a listener is completely enveloped thereby. That is, soundemanates directly from the louvered openings directly into the earwithout being transmitted through the foamed plastic. It is important tominimize the contact between the foamed plastic and the listeners earsince it is possible for the foam to conduct the sound from the speakersto the ear.

As thus positioned within the housings I2 and 14, the audio transducers26 and 38 carry a sound pattern which provides a full panorama effect tothe listener. In other words, to the listener, the sound seems to bedirected at him along a continuum extending fully from his left side tohis right side.

To further increase the stereo separation between paired speakers withineach housing 12 and 14 a suitable sound divider is provided. A preferredform of divider is a generally V-shaped member 36, having its base fixedto the outside walls 23 and its apex adjacent the louvers 32. The pointsof connection of the membrane to the outside wall can be spaced fromeach other a greater or lesser distance so that the generally V-shapedconfiguration of the membrane can be set to a preferred distance. Ifdesired, the membrane may be made of a stretchable plastic material sothat the listener may adjust it.

In operation, each audio transducer is connected to one track of a fourtrack stereophonic system. Such a system may include a four track tapeor some other means for generating four distinct electronic signals,each being representative of a particular microphone position forrecording sounds generated over measurable distance; e.g., an orchestraor a chorus. As thus positioned within the headphone 10, the transducersgenerate an effect perceived by the listener as a full panorama of soundand aiming at him in all directions. It is not entirely understood whythis positioning of the audio transducers produces a panorama of sound.While it had been believed that only those arrangements of audiotransducers disclosed and claimed in the above-noted patent applicationcould produce this panorama of sound, it has been found that thearrangement of speakers disclosed herein has surprisingly achieved thesame effect.

Referring now to FIG. 4a, a jack particularly suited for connectingstereo headphones, such as those described herein and in the above-notedpatent application, to an audio signal source is illustrated.

The jack 50 is shown to comprise a suitable housing 52 which receives acarrier 54 in a cavity 56 therein. The carrier is connected by a conduit50 to a plurality of speakers which may be arranged in a headphone ofthe type described.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the interior of the housing which may be anaudio amplifier or the like includes a plurality of conductor elements57 which are connected at their ends to a plurality of wires 58. it isto be noted that for an eight channel system there will be eight wiresand eight elements. A common ground connection is made through a metalchassis defined by walls 64. Not shown is a plastic encasement for thechassis. Since thisjack is designed principally to be utilized with atransducing system comprising eight audio transducers, eight suchelements 57 are shown. A four channel system would have four elements.The elements are seen to be supported within the interior of housing 52with their end sticking out slightly past the front wall of the housing.

Each of the elements is connected to an electric circuit by the wires 58in the interior of the housing. The opposite ends of each element havesubstantially flat faces 59 which function as contacts in a manner whichwill be explained.

The carrier 54 may comprise a generally box-like structure having anopen end. It comprises spaced top and bottom walls 61 and 62, whichsupport an end wall 63, and opposed side walls 64. Suitable channelmembers 65, each ofwhich corresponds to one of the aforementionedelements 57, are supported from the top wall 61 of the carrier bysuitable support brackets 66. Each of the channel members 65 has asuitable contact face 67 which is substantially parallel to, andpositioned for abutting contact with corresponding contact surface 59 onelements 57. A suitable wire 68 extends from the opposite end of each ofthe channel members 65. All of the wires 68 converge and are carried bythe aforementioned conduit to a plurality of audio transducers.

The carrier is adapted to be releasably installed in opening 56 in theface of the housing 52. This is achieved by virtue of the fact that theside walls 64 on the carrier support resilient arms 74 (FIGS. 5 and 9),which support opposed, outwardly directed cylinders of magnetizablematerial 76. The cylinders of magnetizable material are adapted to bereceived in corresponding opposed spacing recesses 79 in the housing.Normally, the resilience of arms 74 is sufficient to keep the cylinderswithin the recesses and the carrier locked in position in the housing.However, it may be desirable under some circumstances to provide anauxiallary attachment means. Provision is made for such attachment bythe utilization of means for energizing the magnetizable cylinders 76.Such a means comprises energizable coils 80 wrapped around each of thecylindrical recesses 79. The coils may be connected to a circuit 82which is completed by an external switch, or by any other suitablemeans. It should be apparent that upon completion of the circuits to theenergizable coils the cylinders will be locked in their respectiverecesses and the carrier will not be removable from the housing.Obviously, the deenergization of circuit 82 will permit the resilientarms to be squeezed inwardly and the carrier released.

Additionally means are provided for permitting the signals transmittedby each of the circuits to influence the next adjacent circuit so thatthe sounds created by the respective audio transducers can beintermingled. It is well known law of physics that changes in theelectric field can be capacitively coupled from a conductor to anadjacent conductor. This law has been utilized advantageously in thesubject device to achieve a certain degree of intermixing of adjacentaudio signals. While the elements comprising each of the circuits couldbe spaced rather close together to achieve this desired mixing effect,such an arrangement would be undesirable since the degree of mixingcould not be controlled. Thus, the subject device implements the law byhaving the aforementioned channel members 65 spaced from each other adistance that precludes any substantial interaction therebetween.However, interaction in a selective fashion is achieved by thepositioning of elements that are comprised of a suitable electric fieldsupporting resistive material which may be selectively interposedbetween adjacent channel members 65. The electric field supported by theresistive material is useful in achieving the above-noted interaction.

As best seen in FIGS. 5, 7 and 8, the resistive material is generally inthe shape of elongated substantially rectangular, flat bars 84 which aremounted on a slide bar 86. The slide bar which is disposed transverselyof the carrier is wider than the distance between the aforementionedside walls 64 so that it extends outwardly on either side through slots87. If desired, the slide bar may have enlarged ends 88 to facilitategrasping.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 it can be seen that the resistive members 84are disposed between adjacent channel members 65 and are higher thanthose channel members so that uniform interrelation of those members isachieved.

Each bar 84 is comprised of a plurality of sections, each having adifferent degree of resistivity. Preferably, each bar is comprised offour sections with the section on the right (FIG. 8) having the highestdegree of resistivity and the section on the left having the lowest.Additionally, it should be noted with respect to FIG. 8 that the carrieris of sufficient length so that when the slide bar 86 is at the end ofslot 87 the resistive members are disposed axially of channel members65. In this position they do not cause any interaction between adjacentchannel members. However, it is apparent that when slide bar 86 is movedto the right (FIG. 9) the resistive members move into the spaces betweenadjacent channel members and influence the relationship therebetween.Thus, by selectively moving slide bar along slot 87, the degree ofmixing of sound signals transmitted by the adjacent channel members canbe adjusted to suit the listener.

While the invention has been described with reference to particularembodiments thereof, it should be apparent that many other embodimentsand forms of the invention would be obvious to those skilled in the artin view of the foregoing description. Thus, the scope of the inventionshould not be limited by the description of a particular embodiment setforth above, but rather only by the scope of the claims amended hereto.

I claim:

1. Stereophonic headphones for a four channel system comprising asupport, first and second enclosures to be positioned over the ears of alistener carried by said support, each of said enclosures including aninside wall to lie adjacent an ear and an outside wall spaced outwardlyfrom said inside wall, said inside walls having an opening for theemission of sound into the ear of the listener, two audio transducers ineach of said enclosures for transducing electronic signals into sound,each of said audio transducers being supported in said enclosurelaterally displaced with respect to each other, said support beingadapted to position said first and second enclosures over the ear of thelistener with said transducers being in a front to back relation withrespect to the head of the listener, and baffle means interposed betweensaid audio transducers in each of said enclosures to provide stereosound separation between each transducer within each of said enclosures.

2. Stereophonic headphones in accordance with claim 1 wherein a layer offoam is provided on said inside wall, said layer having an apertureoverlying said opening.

3. Stereophonic headphones as defined in claim 2 wherein said openingincludes a plurality of louvres and said layer overlies a portion ofsaid louvres.

4. Stereophonic headphones in accordance with claim 1 including means toselectively mix the signals applied to the transducers.

5. Stereophonic headphones for a four channel system comprising asupport, first and second enclosures to be positioned over the ears of alistener carried by said support, each of said enclosures including aninside wall to lie adjacent an ear and an outside wall spaced outwardlyfrom said inside wall, said inside walls having an opening for theemission of sound into the ear at least two audio transducers in each ofsaid enclosures for transducing electronic signals into sound, each ofsaid audio transducers being supported in said enclosures in spacedrelation from said outside wall and being laterally displaced withrespect to each other, and baffle means interposed between said audiotransducers in each of said enclosures to acoustic enhance theseparation of said audio transducers.

6. Stereophonic headphones as defined in claim 5 wherein each of saidaudio transducers in said enclosures is supported by said inside wall.

7. Stereophonic headphones for a four channel system comprising asupport, first and second enclosures to be positioned over the ears of alistener carried by said support, each of said enclosures including aninside wall to lie adjacent an ear and an outside wall spaced outwardlyfrom said inside wall, said inside walls having an opening for theemission of sound into the ear of the listener, at least two audiotransducers in each of said enclosures for transducing electronicsignals into sound, each of said audio transducers being supported insaid enclosure laterally displaced with respect to each other, and saidsupport being adapted to position said first and second enclosures overthe ear of the listener with said transducers being in a front to backrelation with respect to the head of the listener, a plurality of meansfor applying signals to each of said transducers, and means for couplinga predetermined portion of the electronic signal in at least a first oneof said signal applying means into at least a second one of said signalapplying means.

8. Stereophonic headphones in accordance with claim 7, including meansto selectively mix the signals applied to more than two of thetransducers.

9. Stereophonic headphones for a four channel system comprising asupport, first and second enclosures to be positioned over the ears of alistener carried by said support, each of said enclosures including aninside wall to lie adjacent an ear and an outside wall spaced outwardlyfrom said inside wall, said inside walls having an opening for theemission of sound into the ear of the listener, two audio transducers ineach of said enclosures for transducing electronic signals into sound,each of said audio transducers being supported in said enclosure inspaced relation from said outside wall and being displaced laterallywith respect to each other, said support being adapted to position saidfirst and second enclosures over the ear of the listener with saidtransducers being in a front to back relation with respect to the headof the listener, and acoustic separation means interposed between saidaudio transducers in each of said enclosures.

10. The headphones of claim 5, wherein said baffle means comprises amember in each of said enclosures fixed to said outside wall and beingexpandable toward said inside wall.

11. The headphones of claim 7 further characterized in that saidcoupling means is also for coupling into said one circuit apredetermined portion of the signal in another of said circuits.

12. Stereophonic headphone assembly comprising:

a. first and second enclosures,

b. at least two transducers in each enclosure.

c. a plurality of means for applying signals to respective ones of saidtransducers, and

d. means for coupling the signal in at least one of said (c) means toanother one thereof.

13. A headphone assembly for use with four electrical signals containingsound information corresponding to predetermined spatial positionscomprising:

a. at least first and second transducer mounting means adapted to bepositioned respectively in close proximity to the ears of a wearer,

b. at least two sets of electro-acoustic transducers. each setcomprising two tranducers mounted to a corresponding one of saidmounting means.

c. means for applying predetermined portions of one of said signals to apredetermined one or ones of said transducers,

(1. means for applying predetermined portions of another of said signalsto at least one of said transducers, and

e. means for applying predetermined portions of said third and fourthsignals to a predetermined one or ones of said transducers.

1. Stereophonic headphones for a four channel system comprising asupport, first and second enclosures to be positioned over the ears of alistener carried by said support, each of said enclosures including aninside wall to lie adjacent an ear and an outside wall spaced outwardlyfrom said inside wall, said inside walls having an opening for theemission of sound into the ear of the listener, two audio transducers ineach of said enclosures for transducing electronic signals into sound,each of said audio transducers being supported in said enclosurelaterally displaced with respect to each other, said support beingadapted to position said first and second enclosures over the ear of thelistener with said transducers being in a front to back relation withrespect to the head of the listener, and baffle means interposed betweensaid audio transducers in each of said enclosures to provide stereosound separation between each transducer within each of said enclosures.2. Stereophonic headphones in accordance with claim 1 wherein a layer offoam is provided on said inside wall, said layer having an apertureoverlying said opening.
 3. Stereophonic headphones as defined in claim 2wherein said opening includes a plurality of louvres and said layeroverlies a portion of said louvres.
 4. Stereophonic headphones inaccordance with claim 1 including means to selectively mix the signalsapplied to the transducers.
 5. Stereophonic headphones for a fourchannel system comprising a support, first and second enclosures to bepositioned over the ears of a listener carried by said support, each ofsaid enclosures including an inside wall to lie adjacent an ear and anoutside wall spaced outwardly from said inside wall, said inside wallshaving an opening for the emission of sound into the ear at least twoaudio transducers in each of said enclosures for transducing electronicsignals into sound, each of said audio transducers being supported insaid enclosures in spaced relation from said outside wall and beinglaterally displaced with respect to each other, and baffle meansinterposed between said audio transducers in each of said enclosures toacoustic enhance the separation of said audio transducers. 6.Stereophonic headphones as defined in claim 5 wherein each of said audiotransducers in said enclosures is supported by said inside wall. 7.Stereophonic headphones for a four channel system comprising a support,first and second enclosures to be positioned over the ears of a listenercarried by said support, each of said enclosures including an insidewall to lie adjacent an ear and an outside wall spaced outwardly fromsaid inside wall, said inside walls having an opening for the emissionof sound into the ear of the listener, at least two audio transducers ineach of said enclosures for transducing electronic signals into sound,each of said audio transducers being supported in said enclosurelaterally displaced with respect to each other, and said support beingadapted to position said first and second enclosures over the ear of thelistener with said transducers being in a front to back relation withrespect to the head of the listener, a plurality of means for applyingsignals to each of said transducers, and means for coupling apredetermined portion of the electronic signal in at least a first oneof said signal applying means into at least a second one of said signalapplying means.
 8. Stereophonic headphones in accordance with claim 7,including means to selectively mix the signals applied to more than twoof the transducers.
 9. Stereophonic headphones for a four channel systemcomprising a support, first and second enclosures to be positioned overthe ears of a listener carried by said support, each of said enclosuresincluding an inside wall to lie adjacent an ear and an outside wallspaced outwardly from said inside wall, said inside walls having anopening for the emission of sound into the ear of the listener, twoaudio transducers in each of said enclosures for transducing electronicsignals into sound, each of said audio transducers being supported insaid enclosure in spaced relation from said outside wall and beingdisplaced laterally with respect to each other, said support beingadapted to position said first and second enclosures over the ear of thelistener with said transducers being in a front to back relation withrespect to the head of the listener, and acoustic separation meansinterposed between said audio transducers in each of said enclosures.10. The headphones of claim 5, wherein said baffle means comprises amember in each of said enclosures fixed to said outside wall and beingexpandable toward said inside wall.
 11. The headphones of claim 7further characterized in that said coupling means is also for couplinginto said one circuit a predetermined portion of the signal in anotherof said circuits.
 12. Stereophonic headphone assembly comprising: a.first and second enclosures, b. at least two transducers in eachenclosure, c. a plurality of means for applying signals to respectiveones of said transducers, and d. means for coupling the signal in atleast one of said (c) means to another one thereof.
 13. A headphoneassembly for use with four electrical signals containing soundinformation corresponding to predetermined spatial positions comprising:a. at least first and second transducer mounting means adapted to bepositioned respectively in close proximity to the ears of a wearer, b.at least two sets of electro-acoustic transducers, each set comprisingtwo tranducers mounted to a corresponding one of said mounting means, c.means for applying predetermined portions of one of said signals to apredetermined one or ones of said transducers, d. means for applyingpredetermined portions of another of said signals to at least one ofsaid transducers, and e. means for applying predetermined portions ofsaid third and fourth signals to a predetermined one or ones of saidtransducers.